Building a PC, A How To Part 1

Figure 1

When you look inside a computer, it may be intimidating at first. With so many wires, circuit boards and fans, it does look like a science experiment at times. However, once you've figured out the basic components, it doesn't seem so bad at all. In this series of guides we'll be going over the complete process of the assembly of a relatively powerful and respectable PC by today's standards. This first section will cover the preparation of the motherboard. In the next sections we'll be going over how to prepare the case, add expansion cards and drives. 

Figure 2

Before you dive in, make sure to ground yourself prior to touching any sensitive electronic components. Static electricity can cause serious and even ruin your components when you shock them. Grounding can be down by either touching the casing of a plugged in, but switched off computer power-supply. Also, to lower the risk of static electricity, as a rule of thumb, I usually go to a location where the floor is not carpet. 

Figure 3: No more spending hundreds on
 expensive Tech Stations

When we're assembling a PC, we will need a tech station to work at. We could spend $100 on a professional tech station. But since I don't have such funds for one, here's a cheap little trick. Take the box supplied with your motherboard, place it on the desk. Now place your motherboard on top of the box. Instant tech station.

Figure 4: Every LGA socket contains 
hundreds of pins that are extremely fragile

Next we're going to be installing the CPU. Now this process differs between Intel and AMD based systems. For most modern consumer Intel platforms, they use a LGA (Land Grid Array) type of socket. This means that the pins that transfer power, information, and all the things the CPU needs to function and do what it needs to do are all on the socket built on the motherboard. Where as most consumer AMD platforms, these pins are built onto the CPU not the board. For this guide we're going to be dealing with an AMD based platform. Be extremely careful with the pins on the bottom of the CPU. Mishandling could lead to bent pins which could ruin your CPU. A separate guide for Intel platforms will be coming up soon. 

Figure 5: Lift the arm

Lift the small arm on the side of the CPU socket all the way up. 

Figure 6: The gold triangle on the CPU lines
 up with the one molded in the socket

Position the CPU correct in the socket. For AMD processors, there is a gold triangle on the corner of the CPU. Line that up with the triangle on your CPU socket. Drop the CPU into it's correct position so all the pins fall into it's corresponding hole in the socket. I usually give the CPU a little wiggle just to make sure it's in correctly. Once it's in correctly, pull down the arm back to the locked position. Do not panic if it requires a bit of force, this is to lock the CPU in place.   

Figure 7: Apply thermal material
 on center of CPU

Before installing the CPU heatsink, thermal compound is required to ensure efficient heat transfer from the CPU to the cooler. For most cooling solutions included with CPUs, this material is usually pre-applied so you can skip this step. (Will appear to be a gray pad on the bottom of your cooler) If not, apply a small amount of thermal material onto the centre of the CPU. An amount the size of a small uncooked grain of rice is a good benchmark. 

Figure 8: Relatively good amount of thermal material

Figure 9: Tabs on mounting bracket

Figure 10 A: Pull tab to lock cooler in place 

Now it's time to install the heatsink. Many aftermarket coolers use custom mounting hardware to ensure optimum security. For the stock cooler, simply hook the hooks on the cooler to the tabs on the CPU socket bracket. Once both sides are hooked on and the cooler is snug on top of the CPU, pull the arm of the cooler to the lock position. Like pulling down the tab of the CPU socket, it will require some force. This is to ensure there is enough pressure to maintain good contact between the CPU and cooler for maximum cooling. 

Figure 10 B

Figure 11 A: CPU Fan header

Figure 11 B: 4 Pin header

The last step of CPU installation is to hook up the fan on your heatsink. To to this, simply find the header that's labeled CPU FAN or refer to your motherboard's manual. When plugging the the connector, take note of the two tabs on the plug, this lines up with the side of the connector with the plastic wall. 

Figure 12

Now it's time to move onto memory. To the left of your CPU, is the standard position of where the memory lives in your computer. In most cases, motherboards will have two pairs of these slots, though some boards can range from one to four pairs of memory slots. In the case of four pairs of memory slots, two pairs will be on the right of the CPU while the other two pairs will be on the left. 

Figure 13: Position module just above the slot to align
with the tab

Start by deciding which memory slots you will be using. If you memory is rated for dual channel operation, then make sure you install the two modules in slots of the same colour. For example, in the picture above, I would install both dual channel sticks in the two red slots. 

Figure 15

Making sure you have the correct type of memory for your board, gently rest the module into one of the slots, just above the connector. Make sure the notch in the memory module lines up correctly with the notch in the slot. If you were to force the module into the slot when they notches are not lined up correctly, you can potentially damage either or both the memory module and motherboard. Once you have made sure everything lines up, push down on both ends of the module until the locks in the socket engage.

Figure 16: Now ready to prepare the case

This ends the first section of the tutorial. Keep it locked on McMathTechTips as we'll be continuing this PC build in the next section.